Comic-Con sing-alongs pack in Whedon fans

In addition to the various panels for the hottest movies and TV shows, Comic-Con hosts several traditional events, including the Eisner Awards honoring the best in comic books, and the Masquerade, featuring the best in costumes and wit.

In the last couple of years, a new tradition has emerged: bringing together Joss Whedon fans to sing-along to his musical episodes on the big screen. Two years ago a room was set aside for people to watch the classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, “Once More With Feeling.”

This took place at the same time as the Con’s Masquerade, in a small room, which filled up quickly. Last year, Whedonopolis.com arranged an official Buffy sing-along as a wrap up event to Comic-Con. This was a big thing because Fox suspended Buffy sing-alongs that used to be held in some parts of the country because of a royalty dispute. The event in 2008 filled the convention center’s Ballroom 20 quickly– which had a capacity of over 4000 people– and was a great success. Plans were made to do it again the following year. However, fans didn’t have to wait that long: it also wrapped up Wondercon in San Francisco last March.

In 2009, the screening again filled Ballroom 20. This time, there was a bit more audience participation, with the crowd of young and old alike enjoying dancing and singing to the music. This year’s event was co-sponsored by The WB.com along with Whedonopolis.com, and it’s expected the screening will close Comic-Con and WonderCon next year.

Earlier, the California Browncoats had their own audience participation screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. In 2008, this was shown on the big screen just days after it became an Internet sensation. It drew such a crowd, they needed two extra rooms. This year, it also drew a big crowd, but was shown in only one room, which meant a lot of people had to be turned away. They finally let some standing room only, but only a few.

The Browncoat’s approach was a bit different: Everyone got a songbook, and were told to talk back to the screen. For example:

* During Freeze Ray song: Hand gesture “stop every time he says “stop”. Shoulder jam along with the horrible doctor.

This was followed by “Commentary, the Musical”, which is the cast and crew singing their insights about the musical and assorted subjects like the Writer’s Strike, who’s better than whom, and some iPhone game called “Ninja Ropes.”

The event wrapped up with an appearance by Jed Whedon, his musical wife Maurissa Tanchareon and Zack Whedon.

While this musical may not get an Emmy next month, it’s safe to say having this become an annual event would also be a great idea.

For more about the the Buffy sing-along at Comic-Con, check out: Whedonopolis.com

David Mello (AKA “Impaler General”) is a news anchor for a Sacramento radio station. He has been a fan of many things from Dr. Who to MST3K and all things Whedon. Read more of his writings at his blog.